The Welsh Government’s new deputy transport minister has highlighted the need for “key infrastructure resilience” across the country.

Mark Hooper, who was elected to Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg for Plaid Cymru last month announced a “short, focused programme of work to explore realistic options across road, rail and bus interventions”, says Nation Cymru.

There would be, he said, an emphasis on solutions that were “practical, deliverable and capable of making a meaningful difference in the near to medium term”.

The minister said: “Both the Menai crossings and the M4 illustrate the wider challenge of managing ageing infrastructure in the face of increasing demand.

“In the north of the country, we are progressing both immediate measures and longer term options to strengthen resilience across the Menai strait, including considering detailed options for a third crossing.

“In the south of the country, we are undertaking targeted work to identify a clear and deliverable strategy for the M4 corridor.

“Whilst these works can be disruptive, they are necessary to ensure safety and to support the longer term reliability of our transport network.”

Mr Hooper shared that the repeated closures of the Menai bridge in recent weeks were due to the 7.5 tonne vehicle weight limit being exceeded.

He said: “When the weight restrictions are breached, precautionary structural inspections are required, and that, in turn, means closure and disruption to those in the area. Ensuring the safety of the structure, the workforce and the public must come first.”

Mr Hooper said the government is working with North Wales Police and the DVSA to undertake further enforcement action against such breaches.

(Picture: Government of Wales)